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The Idealistic Teacher

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"Keep loving teaching. Keep being creative." Well, it might seem like madness to you and, indeed, to myself much of the time but it’s fair to say that I love teaching. What I seek to keep at the heart of my blog & resources, and in my own heart of hearts, is a passion. A passion for learning in myself and my students. A passion for my subject: English. Led by principles from 'The Learning Scientist'.

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"Keep loving teaching. Keep being creative." Well, it might seem like madness to you and, indeed, to myself much of the time but it’s fair to say that I love teaching. What I seek to keep at the heart of my blog & resources, and in my own heart of hearts, is a passion. A passion for learning in myself and my students. A passion for my subject: English. Led by principles from 'The Learning Scientist'.
AQA GCSE Seen Poetry: Power & Conflict Revision
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AQA GCSE Seen Poetry: Power & Conflict Revision

(1)
AQA GCSE Language students will benefit from these revision activities, encouraging students to recap all fifteen poems and revise their content, language and themes. This activity is easily accessible for more able students as independent work, and it would be simple to run through these as class activities for less able students. This could be set as cover. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Take a look at my other resources or blog: http://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/
Home School: AQA Language GCSE: Paper 01B Narrative Writing
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Home School: AQA Language GCSE: Paper 01B Narrative Writing

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This writing challenge focuses on narrating the beginning of a story about an orphan - it might be worthwhile showing students short video extracts from ‘Oliver Twist’ as they enter the room as a bit of inspiration. KS4 students would benefit most from this writing activity which could be done as a stand alone lesson or to support the teaching of English Language paper one, section B in general. This activity would be useful as stretch activities for more able students, although it would be possible to run through it as a class activity (perhaps planning together) for less able students. For students who are just coming across writing narrative for the first time, it would be useful to run through how to plan and write it up separately, before focusing on editing and improving. The Writing Revolution would suggest that approaching it through describing as a teacher (modelling how it’d done), then in pairs and then indvidually would lead to better responses too. In terms of writing narrative, writing the beginning means that students should have an idea of where the story is going but are not required to race through it an write the entire thing. Using something like a ‘story mountain’ to plan it quickly and then circling the beginning section that they will actually write is often useful. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Take a look at my blog and other resources! http://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/
Transactional Writings Tasks: Power & Conflict Poetry Inspiration
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Transactional Writings Tasks: Power & Conflict Poetry Inspiration

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These are transactional writing tasks based on the power and conflict cluster of poems. All fifteen poems are covered, with an exemplar response for ‘Bayonet Charge’. These follow the format of 200 word challenges, though they could be used in other ways quite easily. Each includes an appropriate task for AQA GCSE English Language paper two, section b. These tasks are varied so all text types and purposes should be covered. Feel free to use these as a lesson or as cover to set if you are absent. More able students should be able to approach these independently whilst you may wish to go through them more slowly, step by step with less able learners. Please do c heck out my other resources and my blog: https://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/author/idealisticteacher/
Diversity, Inclusivity, Curriculum Rebalance: LGBTQIA+ & World Writers
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Diversity, Inclusivity, Curriculum Rebalance: LGBTQIA+ & World Writers

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These resources seek to redress imbalances in most English curricula, containing writing challenges, unseen poetry analysis and non-fiction analysis by LGBTQIA+ writers and writers who are black, asian and from other ethnic groups often, wrongly, omitted from canon. Where possible, intersectionality has been considered too as we are more than one label… It is SO important that our children/students hear a range of voices and know that the world should value each of us equally. Thank you for taking the time to view these resources. Any mistakes or clumsy phrasing is my own - please let me know politely if I should change anything.
Theseus & The Minotaur Storyboard Activity
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Theseus & The Minotaur Storyboard Activity

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KS3 students will benefit from this storyboarding activity. These poems would be useful as a supporting activity for less able students, although it would be possible to add in stretch through the addition of quotations from the story or students’ own dialogue. This could, also, be set as cover. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Take a look at my other resources!
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Extract & Example Explanatory Paragraph
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A Midsummer Night's Dream: Extract & Example Explanatory Paragraph

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This is a KS3 resource for those studying ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, involving a short extract (taken from the end of Act 2, scene 1) and an exemplar explanatory paragraph. As a stretch resource, it focuses on how to structure the paragraph and language analysis. Space is provided for students to write their own second paragraph. Additionally, this resource has been created with layout ideas taken from ‘The Learning Scientist’, which should help students with accessing the text, processing its contents and remembering the work.
AQA GCSE Unseen Poetry: Death
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AQA GCSE Unseen Poetry: Death

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AQA GCSE students will benefit from these example unseen poetry questions using the latest question format (May 2019). These poems would be useful as stretch activities for more able students, although it would be possible to run through these as class activities for less able students. They may be useful if students are failing to understand the impact of context on the writing of a poem. For students who are just coming across unseen poetry for the first time, it would be useful to run through question one and poem one separately, before focusing on language comparison and poem two. Students approaching the exam could do this as a timed practice or it could be set as cover. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Difficult words are translated and there is some planning space provided. Take a look at my other resources!
Getting To Know You Questionnaire: Start Of Year Worksheet
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Getting To Know You Questionnaire: Start Of Year Worksheet

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This is a great start of year lesson. Getting to know our students straight away is essential if they are going to feel valued and, if we are going to be able to work well with them, a questionnaire is a great way. Whilst this is a simple sheet, it is essential to run through it with students so that they give detailed, helpful responses to the questions. For me, when I do this every year, the most important answers are the final questions, asking students about themselves. If I give potential answers, like “I’m lazy” or “I struggle with anxiety”, the answers are really helpful. I’ve even had students reveal significant information with the final question. If you’re unsure how to run through it, check out my blog: http://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/2018/09/17/smashing-the-start-of-term-are-questionnaires-the-answer/ I’ve included two different colours to enable for colour and black and white photocopying… Thank you for your time!
French 50 Word Challenge: La Famille
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French 50 Word Challenge: La Famille

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This writing challenge focuses on ‘La Famille’, encouraging students to write accurate French for themselves by using certain criteria to provide a stretch. KS3 students would benefit most from this writing activity which could be done as a stand alone lesson or as homework to support lessons on the topic. This activity would be useful as stretch activities for more able students, although it would be possible to run through it as a class activity (perhaps planning together) for less able students. This is due to the reflective nature of the task, in that it expects students to redraft and improve their work. As a teacher, decide whether this will be individual work or whether peer-assessment would help. For students who are just coming across writing challenges for the first time, it would be useful to run through how to plan and write it up separately, before focusing on editing and improving. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Take a look at my other resources and blog: http://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org
Classroom Display Posters: BfL
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Classroom Display Posters: BfL

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These are posters I’ve used for my classroom. They can be divided into two types - classroom communication and BfL. They seek to communicate with students, allowing them to receive messages and top tips as well as enabling further behaviour for learning. Rewards based, these posters encourage effort and producing work of the highest quality. Whilst the specific class names may not apply in your school context, I have included a blank class communication poster that could be adapted. Any comments, please do get in touch! Check out my other resources or take a look at my blog where I talk about these… https://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/author/idealisticteacher/
Home School: GCSE Language Paper 01: Reading Questions: New Bodies For Old
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Home School: GCSE Language Paper 01: Reading Questions: New Bodies For Old

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AQA GCSE Language students will benefit from these example fiction reading questions using the latest question format (May 2019). This text would provide stretch activities for more able students, and it would be possible to run through these as class activities for less able students. For students who are just coming across the fiction exam for the first time, it would be useful to run through question by question, culminating in question four as an amalgamation of the previous questions. Students approaching the exam could do this as a timed practice or it could be set as cover. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Difficult words are translated and there is some planning space provided. Take a look at my other resources or blog: http://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/
Home School: GCSE Language Paper 01: Reading Questions: Heart Of Darkness
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Home School: GCSE Language Paper 01: Reading Questions: Heart Of Darkness

(0)
AQA GCSE Language students will benefit from these example fiction reading questions using the latest question format (May 2019). This text would provide stretch activities for more able students, and it would be possible to run through these as class activities for less able students. For students who are just coming across the fiction exam for the first time, it would be useful to run through question by question, culminating in question four as an amalgamation of the previous questions. Students approaching the exam could do this as a timed practice or it could be set as cover. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Difficult words are translated and there is some planning space provided. Take a look at my other resources or blog: http://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/
Home School: AQA GCSE Seen Poetry: Power & Conflict Revision
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Home School: AQA GCSE Seen Poetry: Power & Conflict Revision

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Here, every poem from the power and conflict cluster is titled and summarised. Additionally, significant phrases from each poem are selected. These should be a handy revision aid for students or as posters to put up outside classrooms. They could also be cut up, becoming useful revision cards. These have become a real bible for my classes as we write essays based on the poems and a handy reminder for my less able students who struggle to remember what each poem is about… Do check out my other resources!
Home School: Power & Conflict Poetry: Conflict in War Essay Question & Response
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Home School: Power & Conflict Poetry: Conflict in War Essay Question & Response

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AQA GCSE students will benefit from this example ‘power and conflict’ exam style question for the current examination series (May 2019). This focuses on Exposure and Bayonet Charge. This would be useful as an independent stretch activity for more able students, and it would be possible to run through it as separate, timed class activities for less able students. It may be useful if students are failing to explain the writer’s language in depth. For students who are just coming across comparative poetry essays for the first time, it would be useful to run through how to plan as a class, modelling how to answer before encouraging students to write their own paragraph. Students approaching the exam could do this as a timed practice or it could be set as cover. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Take a look at my other resources and blog: http://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/
Home School: Slum Descriptive Writing Task: AQA Language Paper 01B
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Home School: Slum Descriptive Writing Task: AQA Language Paper 01B

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This writing challenge focuses on describing a slum - it might be worthwhile showing students 'Slumdog Millionaire from 06:30 to 09:30 minutes to help them visualise what life is like in a slum. KS4 students would benefit most from this writing activity which could be done as a stand alone lesson or to support the teaching of English Language paper one in general. This activity would be useful as stretch activities for more able students, although it would be possible to run through it as a class activity (perhaps planning together) for less able students. For students who are just coming across writing description for the first time, it would be useful to run through how to plan and write it up separately, before focusing on editing and improving. The Writing Revolution would suggest that approaching it through describing as a teacher (modelling how it’d done), then in pairs and then indvidually would lead to better responses too. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Take a look at my blog and other resources! http://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/
Home School: AQA Unseen Poetry: Death Question 02 Example
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Home School: AQA Unseen Poetry: Death Question 02 Example

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AQA GCSE students will benefit from this example unseen poetry question two and response using the latest question format (May 2019). This would be useful as stretch activities for more able students, although it would be possible to run through as a class activity for less able students. It may be useful if students are failing to understand how to explain language. For students who are just coming across unseen poetry for the first time, this would be useful to run through question one and poem one using an example, before focusing on language comparison for question two. Students approaching the exam could do this as a timed practice or it could be set as cover. THIS GOES WITH ANOTHER RESOURCE (SIMILARLY TITLED). The other resource has an additional poem and includes question one. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Difficult words are translated and there is some planning space provided. Take a look at my other resources! Or my blog: https://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/author/idealisticteacher/
Home School: Power & Conflict Poetry: Conflict in War Essay Question & Response
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Home School: Power & Conflict Poetry: Conflict in War Essay Question & Response

(0)
AQA GCSE students will benefit from this example ‘power and conflict’ exam style question for the current examination series (May 2019). This focuses on Exposure and Bayonet Charge. This would be useful as an independent stretch activity for more able students, and it would be possible to run through it as separate, timed class activities for less able students. It may be useful if students are failing to explain the writer’s language in depth. For students who are just coming across comparative poetry essays for the first time, it would be useful to run through how to plan as a class, modelling how to answer before encouraging students to write their own paragraph. Students approaching the exam could do this as a timed practice or it could be set as cover. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Take a look at my other resources and blog: http://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/
Home School: GCSE Language Paper 02: Travelling Dogs
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Home School: GCSE Language Paper 02: Travelling Dogs

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AQA GCSE Language students will benefit from these example non-fiction reading questions using the latest question format (May 2019). These texts will provide stretch activities for more able students, and it would be possible to run through these as class activities for less able students. For students who are just coming across the non-fiction exam for the first time, it would be useful to run through question by question, culminating in question four as an amalgamation of the previous questions. Students approaching the exam could do this as a timed practice or it could be set as cover. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Copyright for the modern hotel review belongs to: Becca Blond. Dogs Stay Free at Denver’s Hotel Teatro Posted on March 28, 2017 by Becca Blond The article can be found at:https://planetblond.com/2017/03/28/dogs-stay-free-at-denvers-hotel-teatro/ Take a look at my other resources or blog: http://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org/
Home School: AQA GCSE Unseen Poetry: Four Example Section Cs
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Home School: AQA GCSE Unseen Poetry: Four Example Section Cs

(0)
AQA GCSE students will benefit from these example unseen poetry questions using the latest question format (May 2019). These poems would be useful as stretch activities for more able students, although it would be possible to run through these as class activities for less able students. For students who are just coming across unseen poetry for the first time, it would be useful to run through question one and poem one separately, before focusing on language comparison and poem two. Students approaching the exam could do this as a timed practice or it could be set as cover. Additionally, the formatting and layout has been influenced by ‘The Learning Scientist’ and their principles on how to make resources most accessible. Difficult words are translated and there is some planning space provided. Take a look at my other resources!
Home School: AQA Language GCSE: Paper 02A LGBT REPRESENTATION
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Home School: AQA Language GCSE: Paper 02A LGBT REPRESENTATION

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Here you’ll find reading tasks, focusing on non-fiction writing and nineteenth century context. Whilst both of the diary entries here are by Anne Lister in 1823, this resource provides a useful AQA English Language Paper 02A revision resource and an excellent opportunity into some SMSC work. Students often presume that they are developed, civilised and cultured, whilst those of the past lived rather more narrow, small-minded lives. Anne Lister proves this wrong. Use this as an opportunity for discussion about how wrong it is to generalise when discussing context! Please do note that these tasks mention Anne Lister and her life as a lesbian, including a mention of “making love”. It is no more gratuitous than that but it should be pre-read by the teacher and students may need to be spoken to about the content. Alternatively, let them read it and discuss it themselves, if they’re mature enough, and see which of them see the date! Please do contact me with any questions and check out my other resources/blog: http://idealisticteacher.edublogs.org